[Spread of pituitary adenomas beyond the sella]

Two cases of giant pituitary adenomas spreading extensively beyound the sella are described. In the 1st case death occurred 18 hours after the operation, in the 2nd case a good result was obtained by operation from subtemporal approach followed by 60Co radiotherapy. Control scintigraphic and angiographic examinations 11 months after treatment failed to demonstrate the signs which indicated extrasellar spread of adenoma before treatment.